Nord Stream 2 Gets Construction Nod in Russia and Sweden

Nord Stream 2 AG, the developer of a pipeline to supply Russian natural gas to the EU market through the Baltic Sea, has received construction permits in Russia and Sweden.

The permit for the Russian section of the pipeline has been issued by the Russian Ministry of Construction and Utilities.

Practical implementation of the project under the terms of newly issued permit will begin in the nearest future, taking into account environmental aspects and in line with the conclusion of the State Environmental Expert Review, the company said.

“We are very pleased to have obtained this permit. This is the result of extensive and thorough teamwork that has been carried out throughout the comprehensive permitting process. This marks an important milestone for the Nord Stream 2 project,” said Sergey Serdyukov, chief technical officer at Nord Stream 2 AG.

In Russia, Nord Stream 2 needs to obtain two main permits. In addition to the permit issued, a permit for construct of an underwater pipeline in the territorial sea of the Russian Federation will be obtained from the Russian Environmental Authority (Rosprirodnadzor). It is expected to be issued in the nearest future.

Furthermore, the company obtained the permit to construct and operate the pipeline system in the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The permit was granted by the government, represented by the Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation, which is in charge of the application. The permit covers an approximately 510 kilometers-long route section in the Swedish EEZ.

“This is an important milestone for the Nord Stream 2 project. We are pleased to have obtained the Swedish government’s approval to construct and operate the Nord Stream 2 pipeline,” said Lars O Grönstedt, senior advisor at Nord Stream 2.

“We are now looking forward to continuing the productive cooperation and open dialogue with the Swedish authorities during the up-coming construction phase,” said Nicklas Andersson, permitting manager Sweden at Nord Stream 2.

Preparatory seabed intervention works, such as pre-lay rock berms and concrete mattresses for cable crossings, will start at specific sections along the Swedish route in the coming months, while pipe laying in the Swedish EEZ is scheduled to start later this year.

Nord Stream 2 AG has already obtained the permits required for the construction and operation of the pipeline system in Germany and Finland. The national permitting procedure in Denmark is ongoing.